Kansas City Playlist: Last Hope To Save Retail From Rampant Crime

Tonight top echelon insiders have offered us a glimpse at the future. It's not pretty but it works. 

We don't mind talking about this over a few posts but first let's set the scene . . .

This week there was a scary sneaker store shooting on Country Club Plaza as the iconic luxury store entertainment district continues to fade.

And then . . .

Dick's reported a whopping 23% nosedive in profits and blamed part of their misery on organized retail crime.

And then . . .

CNN video of thieves brazenly stealing whilst cameras were rolling in San Francisco offers a glimpse that things aren't going to get better soon or, maybe, ever.

Of course reactionaries blame either "systemic" problems or yearn for draconian crackdowns and something along the lines of public executions that will terrify the public into behaving decently . . . Which has NEVER really worked for very long in any dictatorship.

As always . . . The truth and the solution is already staring us in the face. 

As always, TOP ECHELON TKC INSIDERS make it simple and easy for us to understand . . . 

EVERY RETAIL OUTLET THAT WANTS TO SURVIVE WILL HAVE TO TURN TO MEMBERS ONLY ADMITTANCE LIKE COSTCO!!!

Caveat . . . Overall with think most retail efforts are doomed and this is just a sneak peek at corporate policy that will soon overtake our lives. 

Still . . . .

The local example . . . The Cost-Co location at Linwood & Main isn't pretty, there is some crime but not often and it has endured for nearly two decades in a part of town that can be tough.

As we move forward . . . Technology will assist the Members Only entrance process and make it as seamless or obvious as it needs to be . . . 

The change in American custom on the horizon . . .

The days of anybody walking into a store from off the street will one day, very soon, be a remnant of the past.

From grocery stores to drug stores . . . Retail membership only admittance will foster benefits, alerts, perks and a sense of community for corporations lucky enough to use them properly.

Those who don't will still be operating with the same level of sophistication as the merchants who sell their wares by the side of the road.  

To each their own. 

The bigger picture . . .

Don't count on society to improve, political solutions or a change of heart from thieves. 

Instead . . . What we've seen is big biz slow to invest money and adapt to the cultural shift of 2020. 

Of course there are other solutions out there . . . 

We've been waiting for KCPD fully staff its ranks to 1500 since around 1968. 

And maybe we might solve systemic racism after all.

Even less likely . . . Some of us still hope to hide from the problem . . . However, recently Kansas AG Kobach warned that some of the nicest places in Kansas confront the same retail crime crisis as big cities . . . Again, we don't advise anyone to hold their breath waiting for urban prosecutors to take this issue seriously. 

And so . . . 

The future and yet another step toward a more isolated existence awaits . . . But at least with slightly better shopping options. 

And all of that inspires our TKC playlist tonight . . . On the topic of stealing . . . 

Our 2nd favorite Steve Miller song with a Bonnie & Clyde super-cut video . . .

Somewhat recent hip-hop auto-tune that's actually pretty good . . .

A Beastie Boys classic for fans confronting or who have already broken through the half century wall:

And . . . As always . . . No playlist about stealing is complete without this 90s classic . . .

Finally, we finish this playlist riding the smooth waves of yacht rock and this 80s classic . . .

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night . . .